Putting life back into the Clarion Mall, “Family Farm & Home” on Thursday opened its doors to the public in the former J.C. Penney location, headed by store manager Bobbi Wood, a Clarion-Limestone High School graduate, and an eight-year Army veteran.
The decision to locate a store in the Clarion area was based on several factors.
“Family Farm & Home’s retail development team continues to review opportunities in or near rural communities …,” FFH Marketing and Advertising Manager Abby DeYoung said. “The Clarion location was selected due to close proximity and visibility to the main highway, rural landscape, and favorable lease agreement with the building landlord.”
Wood, who served a tour in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom, is a native to the Clarion area and has lived in the community for the majority of her life. She returned to the area to raise her daughter near family and friends.
“Bobbi’s love of the outdoors, hunting and fishing, paired with her extensive knowledge from living the rural lifestyle and working in the farm retail industry, make her the perfect family member to open this new location for Family Farm & Home,” DeYoung said.
With its opening in the mall, the Midwest farm and home retail chain store now has two locations in western Pennsylvania. The other is in Meadville. Overall, the chain has 67 locations.